Revelstoke Secondary School - Work Experience Program 

Interested in Hosting a Student?

The Work Experience Program connects local high school students with Revelstoke businesses for real-world career exploration. Students attend a workplace once a week, gaining hands-on experience, developing skills, and exploring future career paths.

If your business is open to mentoring a student, express your interest using the form on this page, but please read all information sections below before doing so.

This form is hosted by the Chamber on behalf of Revelstoke Secondary School’s Work Experience Program. While not a formal partnership, we’re excited to share this opportunity with our members. View some of the work our own Work Experience Students completed on this page.

  • The Work Experience (WEX) Program is a high school course that connects secondary school students with local employers to provide meaningful, supervised workplace learning experiences. Students attend placements during the school year to explore career paths, gain hands-on skills, and build workplace confidence.

    • The program runs from September to June

    • Students attend a workplace once a week for 2.5 hours, either on Wednesdays or Thursdays

    • Work Experience students are not meant to fill vacant positions.

    • Career Exploration: Students are introduced to various career paths, industries, and job roles, helping them explore their interests and refine their career-life development goals.

    • Skill Development: Participants gain practical, hands-on experience in a workplace setting. This includes developing both hard skills (specific to the job or industry) and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.

    • Professional Networking: Students build relationships with industry professionals, mentors, and potential employers, which can be valuable for future employment or educational opportunities.

    • Workplace Readiness: The program helps students understand workplace culture, expectations, safety standards, and professional behavior, which are essential for a successful transition into the workforce.

  • The program runs throughout the school year, from September to mid-June. Students typically attend their work placement once per week, either on a Wednesday or Thursday, during the school day for approximately 2.5 hours per visit. To meet course requirements, each student must complete a minimum of 100 hours of approved workplace experience. Students are responsible for tracking their hours and ensuring they are confirmed by the employer. 

  • The following activities count toward the student's required work experience hours

    • Hands-On Work Experience: Students participate in real job tasks and assist with day-to-day workplace operations.

    • Job Shadowing: Students observe professionals in action to gain insight into job roles, routines, and work environments.

    • Career Mentoring: One-on-one interactions with a mentor who provides career advice, guidance, and feedback.

    • Training and Orientation Sessions: Includes workplace onboarding, safety briefings, and any skills-based instruction relevant to the role.

    • Project-Based Assignments: Students contribute to or complete a specific project that simulates real tasks or addresses a workplace need.

  • Employers play a vital role in the success of the Work Experience Program. To ensure a safe and educational placement, all host employers are required to:

    1. Sign a Placement Agreement
      This agreement formalizes the partnership and outlines expectations for both the employer and the student.

    2. Provide a WorkSafeBC Account Number*
      This ensures that students are covered as “workers of the Crown” under WorkSafeBC, protecting them in the event of a workplace injury.
      *WorkSafe BC Account numbers cannot be a Personal Optional Protection number; your business needs to have employees in order for the student to be covered as a 'worker of the crown'.

    3. Complete a Student Training Plan
      The Training Plan outlines the tasks students will undertake and the learning objectives they are expected to meet. It helps provide structure and clarity throughout the placement.

    4. Conduct a Worksite Safety Orientation
      On the student’s first day, employers must provide a thorough orientation covering workplace safety policies, emergency procedures, and site-specific hazards.

    5. Allow for Worksite Visits
      A Work Experience Coordinator from the school may visit the workplace periodically to check in with the student and employer, ensuring that the placement is productive and safe.

    6. Provide Ongoing Feedback
      Regular, constructive feedback helps students understand their strengths, identify areas for growth, and reflect on their workplace learning.

  • For questions regarding the WEX program, please contact Kirsten Scheiber*, Work Experience and Career Education coordinator.
    *Note, this email will not be checked regularly throughout the holidays - questions will be fully addressed at the beginning of September.

    For technical issues with the form, please contact Joe Regan, Chamber Communications & Project Coordinator.